Poison Ivy

Anacardiaceae

LIFE FORM: Vine

NATIVITY: Eastern North America

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

Climbing vine often as tall as the tree it climbs; compound leaf with 3 leaflets; stems conspicuous aerial rootlets ("bearded").

FLOWERS:

Small, yellowish-green flowers on axillary panicles from May through June.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Grayish white berries produced in late summer persist through winter, dispersed by birds; also spreads rapidly as a groundcover by underground rhizomes.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Grows well in shade or full sun; tolerant of sandy soil; common near the ocean. Prefers minimally maintained public parks and open space; woodlands that develop on abandoned open space; rock outcrops and stone walls; unmowed highway banks and median strips with frequent salt applications; railroad tracks with ballast substrate.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Abundant along roadsides with heavy salt applications; salt tolerance in paved areas; food and/or habitat for wildlife; erosion control on slopes.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Touching this plant causes allergic dermatitis; the plant has been used in traditional medicine in North America and Europe.